Cumbria Constabulary are today (MON MARCH 11) launching an operation to tackle violent crime, warning offenders their actions have consequences.
The week of action will see extra patrols in hotspot areas and officers out-and-about targeting known offenders.
The county remains one of the safest in the country to live, work and visit.
But officers are not complacent – and know violent crime can have a devastating impact on the victims involved.
The crackdown on violence runs in the same week as Operation Sceptre, the knife surrender in which people have the chance to hand in unwanted blades.
Police are keen to make sure the message is out there that Cumbria is not somewhere people can get away with violence.
Superintendent Matt Pearman said: “Violent crime is an area of policing that has seen significant media coverage over recent weeks and whilst, fortunately, Cumbria has not seen the levels of serious violence that have been reported elsewhere in the country, we are not complacent and continue to take violent crime extremely seriously.
“This is not solely about responding effectively to incidents of violence but about actively targeting those in our communities who commit violent offences, carry weapons or who are perpetrators of domestic abuse.
“It’s also really important that police officers are out-and-about, where they are able to talk to members of the public so that we can keep community intelligence flowing.
“This is critical to taking violent offenders off the streets.
“People should know that violent actions have consequences for other people – and for themselves, with the prospect of a court appearance and even prison awaiting them.”
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “The whole country will have been shocked by the appalling and tragic deaths of young people in other parts of the country as a result of violent knife crime.
“It is important that we do not respond irrationally to these tragedies, but equally we must do all we can to prevent this sort of crime in Cumbria.
“As a society I believe we must be united in making it clear that violent crime is unacceptable, there are no excuses for carrying weapons, our communities should not live in fear and it will not be tolerated.
“The police in Cumbria have my full support to continue to deal robustly with those who engage in violent crime.
“There is no place in society for such despicable acts and we should all be committed to doing everything we can to prevent violence and to keep our communities safe.
“This means that parents, friends, teachers, anyone who comes into contact with young people, should be aware of what our young people are up to.
“If you suspect that they may be being drawn into violent crime or any crime, you have a duty to prevent the situation escalating and potentially ending in tragedy, report it to the police or Crimestoppers, you may save a life.
“The devastation of violent crime is often tragic and can leave families, friends and communities suffering, it also destroys the life of the perpetrator; there are no winners.
“People should be able to go about their daily lives without fearing violence, crime or anti-social behaviour and anyone who engages in this sort of behaviour should be clear that they will be dealt with robustly and I welcome the forces’ action to make these points very clear.
“The police cannot solve these issues on their own. If we genuinely want to keep our county one of the safest places in the country, we – the public – must work with the police to prevent all types of violence in Cumbria.
“I urge anyone with information about any type of crime to please play your part and contact the police, you might prevent a tragedy and you will certainly be helping to keep Cumbria safe.”